The Kyoto Higashiyama Hanatouro illumination festival held in March in is one of the most magical events the capital has to offer in the spring. Here is a guide on things to do to fully enjoy the festival.

If you are planning to visit Nara prefecture in March, Omizutori is an event you can't miss. Omizutori (お水取り) is a fire torch festival held in Todaji, one of the most famous temples and tourist sites around Nara.

The popular spring beverages are back at Starbucks Japan. From February 15th to March 14th, 2018, get the Sakura Strawberry Pink Mochi Frappuccino, Sakura Strawberry Pink Milk Latte, and Sakura Strawberry Pink Tea.

As the 2020 Olympics are drawing close, the Tokyo Marathon of the year 2018 and 2019 are at the center of the focus in the sports world of the City until then. The new course for Tokyo Marathon in 2018 symbolizes the past, present and the future of Tokyo. It's always fun to see the Tokyo Marathon for the interesting-looking costumed participants in the course. Check it out!

In February, in the small town of Otaru in Hokkaido, is held the Snow Light Path Festival. Thousands upon thousands of candles are lit in the snow every evening across the town. It creates an amazingly peaceful atmosphere and makes for one of Japan's most beautiful winter scenery.

Tokamachi snow festival is a snow festival held in Niigata Prefecture from February 4th in 1950. The main idea of this festival is to "be a friend with snow and to enjoy them." This year, 2018, Tokamachi snow festival will be held from February 16th to 18th.

The most famous Hadaka Matsuri, or naked festival, is the one held in Okayama in February. Essentially, it's a game consisting of men wearing fundoshi (loincloths) competing in mass to get a hold of a pair of sacred sticks.

The city of Yokote in Akita Prefecture holds one of Japan's coolest snow festivals. Throughout the town, snow shelters called kamakuras are built and lit from the inside. Here's more on this unique snow festival.

From December 26, 2017, to February 14, 2018, you can enjoy Starbucks Japan's new Fruity Matcha Frappuccino. Even if you don't like matcha, you might like this one because it's a blend of all kinds of different ingredients.

Starbucks is releasing its Valentine Frappuccino on January 24. This year, they're going all out with the sugar. The theme, as they put it, is "sweet rewards" and the drink contains loads of chocolate.

Thinking of heading up north in Japan in February? If so, don't stop at Sapporo, go a little further north to enjoy another great winter festival: the Asahikawa Winter Festival. Great food, the biggest snow sculpture in the world and world-class ice statues await you!

Japan's national sport, sumo. If you are now looking forward to watching sumo, "Ichigatsubasho", the new year sumo will the perfect. "Ichigatsubasho" is held from January 14th to 28th. We will also introduce an east guide to enjoy sumo and some sumo gourmets you must have.

Toka Ebisu Festival is an event held every year in Osaka from the 9th to the 11th of January. It is part of the new year's celebration of visiting a shrine. For this occasion, the purpose is to pray for commercial success. This is a major event in Osaka that is interesting to take part in if you happen to be there!

On December 6th, Starbucks launched a new flavor: the Matcha White Marble Frappuccino! It is only available until December 25th so let's hurry to try it before it's gone! You can try it with whipped cream, or change it for chocolate whipped cream for free.